Rhode Island Basketball: Preview of games vs Providence, Brown, and College of Charleston
After a massive win against Yale at home, Rhode Island Basketball is 5-2, with two crucial in-state rivalry matchups and a road game with the College of Charleston coming up. What should the Rams look out for?
Through the first seven games of the season, the Rhode Island Rams are 5-2, but now they will face the toughest stretch of their non-conference schedule, showing fans what to make of Archie Miller’s team this year. The Rams are coming off a 76-72 upset victory over the Yale Bulldogs, where they were down by 18 with a little over five minutes to go in the first half but managed to come from behind in the second half and shoot 54 percent from the field to remain undefeated in the Ryan Center this season.
The Rams will head down I-95 on Saturday for their annual matchup with the Providence College Friars during rivalry weekend in the Ocean State. They will then come home to host another Ivy League school, the Brown Bears, in another in-state rivalry on Wednesday before hitting the road again to face the College of Charleston. Here’s a preview of what Rhody should expect from their next three matchups.
Saturday – Providence Friars
The University of Rhode Island and Providence College’s annual in-state rivalry is renewed for the 134th time on Saturday, with the Friars leading the series 75–58. Providence has won 10 of the last 12 meetings with Rhode Island. Both teams last faced on December 3, 2022, at the Ryan Center, where PC was victorious 88–74. Bryce Hopkins led the Friars with 14 points and 15 rebounds. While Providence’s lineup is relatively similar to last season and is expected to continue to succeed against Rhody, this time, they’ll be led by first-year head coach Kim English.
This matchup will be the first time English participates in the Ocean State rivalry since replacing Ed Cooley as the Friars’ head coach this past offseason; however, he has faced the Rams previously while at George Mason. While English is still acclimating to Providence, the Friars’ are exceptionally talented and are prepared to face Rhody’s improved roster. While we can expect a great game from both sides, PC will be the favorite to beat URI for the third straight year.
Wednesday – Brown Bears
Rhode Island will face a second straight in-state rival on Wednesday, December 6, when they host Brown at the Ryan Center. Mike Martin’s Bears have struggled this season thus far as they currently sit with a 2-6 record with wins over Rhode Island College and Kansas City. The player to watch for Brown is junior guard Kino Lilly Jr, who is averaging 20.3 points and shooting 41.9 percent. He posted 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting when both programs last met in Kingston last season on December 7, 2022.
Brown is scheduled to host Bryant on Friday and then travel to Maine before heading to Kingston to face the Rams. When the Bears and Rams face off, Rhode Islanders can expect an exciting battle between the two in-state rivals. However, the Rams should handle business at home in front of their fans. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bears come out with a lot of energy and make this a competitive game because this game represents more than just a regular season non-conference matchup.
Sunday – College of Charleston Cougars
After two straight matchups against Rhode Island foes, the Rams will hit the road to face the College of Charleston on Sunday, December 10, at TD Arena. Through six games, the Cougars are 3-3 and are coming off two straight wins against Coastal Carolina and Kent State. Pat Kelsey’s squad is led by juniors Reyne Smith, Ante Brzovic, and Ben Burnham, who are each averaging double figures this season. The Cougars are coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance last season after earning CAA co-regular season and tournament championship honors.
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Before facing the Rams, the Cougars will host Liberty on Friday and head south the next day to face No. 13 Flordia Atlantic. When the Rams and Cougars face off next week, we will see a highly competitive matchup between two evenly-matched programs that could go in either team’s favor. I wouldn’t be surprised if this game were decided by the outcome of the final minutes.